Lading panels with tine receiving elements



R. M. LOOMIS 3,504,641

LADING PANELS WITH TINE RECEIVING ELEMENTS April 7, 1970 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 10, 1968 INVENTORA RUSSELL M LOOM/S 641, flea/WM wmq/vsys April 7, 1970 R. M. Looms 3,504,641

LADING PANELS WITH TINE RECEIVING ELEMENTS Filed July 10, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 26 G) o /02- k INVEN'IOR. M 102 [5TH 2 Russ M LOOM/S mol/F BY al/V, /00 i 94 7 -J ATTORNEYS R. M. LOOMIS 3,504,641

LADING PANELS WITH TINE RECEIVING ELEMENTS A ril 7, 1970 Filed July 10, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. RUSSELL M LOOM/S ATTORNEYS United States Patent O 3,504,641 LADING PANELS WITH TINE RECEIVING ELEMENTS Russell M. Loomis, Palos Heights, 11]., assignor to Unarco Industries Inc., a corporation of Illinois Filed July 10, 1968, Ser. No. 743,834 Int. Cl. B65d 19/00 US. Cl. 108-51 22 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A panel for separating and/or carrying lading comprises spaced tine receiving elements pivotally mounted in at least one of the faces of the panel. The tine receiving elements have openings for receiving the tines of a fork lift and the panel face is constructed to provide for substantially horizontal movement of the tines into and out of engagement with the elements to enable the panel to be lifted by the tines from a horizontal position and swing to a substantially upright attitude when the panel is lifted through the tine receiving elements.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an improved lading panel and, more particularly, to a lading panel which may be lifted when in a horizontal position by the tines of a fork lift and be carried by the tines in a substantially upright attitude.

In the past, lading panels have been provided to act as bulkheads to separate lading in a lading space, such as a railway car, and to alternatively act as pallets to carry lading. Such lading panels have been constructed of a generally rectangular rigid frame the faces of which are covered with a sheet material, such as plywood. A plurality of pins are generally provided which extend from the corners of the panel to adapt the panel to be positioned in either a vertical, horizontal or other angular disposition in the lading car when the panels are used as bulkheads. Such panels have also included ports along their edges to enable their alternative use as pallets, the lading being carried upon one of the faces of the panel.

Where the panels intended use is as vertical bulkheads in a lading space, it is preferred that the panels are capable of being carried and positioned by the tines of the fork lift while in their vertical attitude. In order to adapt such panels to be so carried, prior panels were formed with ports in their faces, to allow insertion of the carrying tines. Such port arrangement however suffers from the disadvantage that the panel must generally be prepositioned either in the vertical or at a suflicient angle from the horizonal to enable the tines to be inserted into the ports. Since such panels are generally stored in a horizontal disposition, prior panels must generally be so prepositioned when it is desired to lift the panels from their stored position to use the panels as bulkheads. Such tilting is both difiicult and hazardous particularly since the panels are relatively heavy, frequently ranging upwards of 400 pounds.

The panel and tine receiving element arrangement incorporating the principles of my invention obviates the aforementioned difficulties. The panel of my invention is constructed to receive and be supported by the tines of a fork lift either when it is disposed in a horizontal position or in a vertical attitude. Prepositioning of the panel is rendered unnecessary as the tine may be inserted in the tine receiving element of my invention while the panel is in a horizontal position, the panel swinging to a substantially upward attitude as the panel is lifted by the tines of the fork lift. Also, the time receiving elements of my invention are fully automatic in operation, the preposition- 3,504,641 Patented Apr. 7, 1970 ing of the tine receiving element being generally unnecessary prior to the insertion or following the removal of the tine from the element. The time receiving element of my invention will positively grip the tine when the panel is supported by the tine substantially reducing the possibility of the panel falling from the tine as the panel is being moved about or as the panel is being picked up or laid down. When in the upright attitude, the panel may be easily lifted and supported by the tines and returned to a horizontal position without necessitating extensive maneuvering of the tines. Also since the receiving element of my invention is completely automatic the panel may be handled entirely by and from the fork lift while in each of its intended positions, obviating the necessity of additional personnel or equipment during such handling. Moreover the tine receiving element is capable of flush mounting with respect to the panel faces, preventing damage to lading when the panel is used either as a pallet or as a bulkhead. Finally, an embodiment of tine receiving element of my invention may be easily and rapidly removed from or installed in the panel without necessitating the removal of the panel covering or disassembly of the panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In a principal aspect, the invention com-prises a planar lading panel which includes at least one tine receiving element carried adjacent a face of the panel. The tine receiving element includes an opening for insertion of the tine into the element while the panel is in a substantially horizontal position. The element is pivotally mounted relative to the center of gravity of the panel so that when the panel is lifted by the tine through the tine receiving element, the panel will swing to a substantially upright attitude about the pivot axis of the pivotal mounting.

The above as well as other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become evident when considering the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the course of the description, the drawings will frequently be referred to in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall view of a panel including tine receiving elements of the present invention with a portion of the panel covering being broken away;

FIG. 2 is an elevation cross-sectioned view of one of the tine receiving elements of the invention taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of another embodiment of time receiving element of my invention;

FIG. 4 is an elevation cross-sectioned view of the latter tine receiving element taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an overall view of another embodiment of panel of my invention including another embodiment of tine receiving element incorporating the principles of my invention.

FIG. 6 is an edge view of the panel of FIG. 5 having a portion broken away;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pivotal mounting of the tine receiving element of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an elevation cross-sectioned view of the fine receiving element taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 5

FIG. 9 is a simplified view of the panel of my invention prior to being lifted from or subsequent to being laid down in a substantially horizontal position by a fork lift truck;

FIG. 10 is a simplified view of the panel in the act of being lifted or laid down;

FIG. 11 is a simplified view of the panel being positioned as a bulkhead in a substantially upright attitude adjacent lading by a fork lift truck; and

FIG. 12 is a simplified view of the panel vertically positioned adjacent the lading.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, one embodiment of panel P constructed in accordance with the principles of my invention is shown. The panel comprises a rectangular sheet metal frame constructed of box or channel members including a pair of edge beams 15 and 16, a pair of end beams 18 and 19, and a pair of intermediate beams 21 and 22. Each face 24 and 25' of the panel is covered with a suitable sheet material 26, such as plywood, and pins 28 having enlarged heads project from each of the panel corners to provide for positioning and support of the panel on notched guide tracks in the lading space in a known manner. Ports 29 are carried in each of the edge beams 15 and 16 in alignment with the axes of the intermediate beams 21 and 22 to enable the tines of a fork lift to be inserted therein in a direction parallel to the panel faces to lift the panel horizontally when the panel is to be used as a pallet.

A pair of time receiving elements 30 are carried adjacent at least one of the faces 24 of the panel to one side of each of the respective intermediate beams 21 and 22. The elements 30 are spaced from each other by such a distance to receive the respective tines of a standard fork lift. Each of the tine receiving elements 30 comprises a housing which is formed by a plate 32, lying substantially in the plane of its associated covering sheet 26 and a pair of plates 34 and extending toward the interior of the panel from the edges of the plate 32. A curved plate 36 extends from beneath plate 32 and between the plates 34 and 35 and terminates in a flange 38 extending upwardly in a generally perpendicular relationship to the curved plate 36; plates 32, 34 and 35 and the curved plate 36 with its flange 38 forming a substantially enclosed housing for receiving the tine. The terminal edge 40 of the plate 32 is laterally spaced from the terminal edge 42 of the flange 38 to define an opening 44 in the tine receiving element for insertion of the tine T, as shown in FIG. 2. The terminal edge 40 of plate 32 is preferably bent slightly downward and the terminal edge 42 of flange 38 is preferably beveled, the edges cooperating to provide sharp lines of contact with the tine to grip the tine T when the panel is lifted and at least a part of the panels weight is supported by the tine. The edges 40 and 42 are also preferably hardened to minimize wear.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the tine receiving elements 30 are located to one side of the panel intermediate beams 21 and 22 between said beams and channel beams 46 and 4-7 which extend in generally parallel relationship to the intermediate beams. Bushings 48 and 49 are carried by and extend through the web portions of the intermediate beams 21 and 22 and beams 46 and 47, respectively, as best viewed in FIG. 3. An aperture 50 is provided in each of the plates 34 and 35 of the tine receiving element and a pin 52 is journaled through the bushings 48 and 49 and the apertures 50 pivotally mounting the time receiving elements in the panel. The pin 52 is held in place by an enlarged head 54 located on one side of bushing 49 and by a cotter pin 55 extending through the axis of the pin adjacent the inner side of the plate 34, again as best seen in FIG. 3.

The pivot axis of the tine receiving element 30 which is provided by the pin 52, is displaced from the center of gravity of the panel P by such an amount that when the panel is lifted by the time receiving element, the panel will tend to swing about the pivot pin due to its gravitational unbalance. Thus, as viewed in the dot and dash line depiction of FIG. 2, the pin 52 is displaced slightly to the left of a vertical line drawn through the center of gravity of the panel and slightly above a horizontal line drawn through the panels center of gravity. Where the panel is substantially symmetrical with re pect to geometry and mass, the pivot axis will be offset slightly toward the panel face 24 and the edge beam 16 as viewed in FIG. 2. The degree of such eccentric displacement is preferably such that when the panel is supported by the tine receiving element, the panel will swing to an equilibrium upright position which is about 45 from vertical. Such tilted equilibrium position facilitates the lowering of the panel to a horizontal position as will be explained in more detail later. In practice it has been found that the aforementioned somewhat tilted upright attitude may be achieved by disposing the pivot axis along a radius extending through the overall center of gravity of the panel at an angle of 40 from the aforementioned horizontal line through the center of gravity. The length of said radius may be suitably adjusted to adjust the speed with which the lifted panel will assume its equilibrium upright attitude.

Referring again to the tine receiving element embodiment of FIG. 2, a spring 56 is attached at a lower corner of plate 34 of each of the elements. The springs extend toward edge beam 16 where they are connected to beams 46 and 47 adjacent the edge beam 16. The springs 56 act to normally urge the tine receiving elements 30 into their fully housed position in the panel, the spring pressure being overcome by the swinging action of the panel as the panel is lifted through the tine receiving elements.

A rectangular portion of the cover sheet material 26 is cut away to expose an area 58 extending from the inner edge of the edge beam 15 to just beyond the tine receiving element 30, exposing the tine receiving element through the face 24 of the panel. Referring to FIG. 2, an inclined sheet metal ramp 60 is attached at one end to the edge beam 15, as by welding, and extends between the intermediate beams 21 and 22 and beams 46 and 47, respectively, toward the time receiving element 30. The ramp 6t} slopes downwardly toward the edge 42 of the flange 38 of the tine receiving element, the elevation of the ramp adjacent the edge 42 being substantially the same as the edge to enable unobstructed entry of the tine T through the opening 44 in the tine receiving element. The ramp 60 is bent downwardly at 62 short of the fiange 38, and then horizontally to form a flange 64 upon which the tine receiving element rests when the element is in its housed position.

A second embodiment of tine receiving element and panel arrangement is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Since various components of the instant embodiment are similar to the components of the previously described embodiment, like reference numerals are employed in the drawing to designate like components. The tine receiving element 76 of this embodiment includes an inclined ramp 72 similar to that previously described but which extends in partial overlying relationship to the edge beam 15. The inclined ramp 72 terminates over the edge beam in the plane of the sheet covering 26 of face 24, as best viewed in FIG. 4. Attached to the bent portion 62 of the inclined ramp, as by rivets 74, is a resilient latch member 76 a portion of which extends through an opening 78 in the bent portion 62 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pivot axis of the element. A slot 80 is provided in the upwardly extending flange 38 of the tine receiving element, the slot being aligned with opening 78 to receive a V-shaped end portion 82 of the latch to normally maintain the title receiving element in its housed position. The spring has not been employed in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the tine receiving element 70 normally being urged to its housed position by gravity due to the substantial offset of the pivot pin 52 toward one end of the tine receiving element.

Another embodiment of panel and tine receiving element is shown in FIGS. 58. Since various components of the panel P and tine receiving element are similar to those previously described, like reference numerals are again employed in the drawing to designate like components. In this embodiment a horizontal ramp 92 extends from the extreme edge of the panel edge beam 94 toward the tine receiving element 90 and lies parallel to the face 24 of the panel. The ramp is formed by a plate 96, such as sheet metal, which eXtends between and is attached to the web of the intermediate beams 21 and 22, respectively, at one side and the beams 46 and 47, respectively at the other side. The plate is depressed below the cover sheet 26 of face 24 thus forming a recess 98 through which the tine may be moved horizontally into the opening 44 of the tine receiving element 90. The edge beams 94, rather than being of simple box or channel configuration, are of an irregular cross sectional configuration having raised distal edge portions 100 and recessed portions 102. The cover sheets 26 are attached to the edge beams in their recessed portions 102, the surfaces of the cover sheets 26 combining with the surfaces of the raised distal portions 100 to provide an overall fiat planar surface. The raised distal portions rim the edges of the cover sheets 26 and protect the softer cover sheet edges from damage due to impact from the tine tips or frictional contact with the floor. Where the plate 96 traverses the edge beam 94, the plates lateral edges are bent upwardly providing flanges 104 which are attached, as by welding across the partially cut away cross section of the edge beam 94. The plate is bent inwardly to form the flange 62 and then turned parallel to the panel faces to form flange 64 for retain ing the tine receiving element as previously described. A resilient latching element 106 is attached to the underside of the plate 96, as by rivets 108, and extends through a slot 110 in flange 62. The latching element 106 is bent to form a generally V-shaped surface 112 which cooperates with the slot 80 in the flange 38 of the latch receiving element to normally maintain the latch receiving element in its housed position.

The pivotal mounting arrangement of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5-8 differs somewhat from the mounting arrangement previously described. The mounting arrangement of the present embodiment includes a pair of apertured plates 114 located adjacent the inner faces of each of plates 34 and 35 of the tine receiving element. A pin 116 is rigidly attached, as by welding, at one end of the plates 114 and extends outwardly of the tine receiving element through an aperture 118 formed in each of the plates 34 and 35 and thence into the bushings 48 and 49 which are carried by the intermediate beams 21 and 22 and beams 46 and 47, respectively. A bolt 120 extends through an aperture 122 at the other end of each of the plates 114 and thence through a complementary aperture 124 in plates 34 and 35. A nut 126 is threaded on each of the bolts 120 to firmly aflix plates 114 against plates 34 and 35. The aforementioned pivotal mounting arrangement enables the tine receiving element 90 to be removed from or installed in its respective panel without necessitating the removal of the cover sheet from the panel.

In addition to the eccentric displacement of the pivot axis provided by pin 52 with respect to the panels center of gravity, the pivot axis is displaced from the opening 44 of each of the time receiving element embodiments in a direction substantially parallel to the planar faces of the panel. When the panel is at least partially supported by the tines, the weight of the panel will act in a downward direction through the pivot axis 52, as viewed in FIG 2. Due to the latter displacement, the gripping force which obtains at the gripping edges 40 and 42 greatly exceeds that of the panel weight, since the panel weight is multiplied by the lever arm resulting from the displacement distance between the opening 44 and pivot axis 52.

The pivot axis is also spaced from the plate 32 of each of the tine receiving elements in a direction substantially perpendicular to the panels planar faces. Such spacing produces an outward camming action of the time receiving elements from their housed position when the panel is to be lifted from a vertical position. For example as shown in FIG. 4, when the tine T is inserted in the opening 44 and lifted, the upper face of the time contacts the edge 40 and exerts a vertical lifting force on the tine receiving element in a direction substantially along plate 32. Since this force is off-set from the pivot axis, the upward force will cause a pivotal counterclockwise couple to be exerted on the tine receiving element as viewed in FIG. 4, and the element will smoothly and automatically rotate from its housed posi tion to the dot and dash line position shown in FIG. 4.

Although the operation of the previously described panels should be evident when considering the above detailed description, a brief description of their operation follows.

Referring to FIG. 9, a panel of my invention is shown in a substantially horizontal disposition. If it is desired to lift the panel and/or move the panel, the fork lift truck operator moves the tines of his fork lift in a substantially horizontal direction along either the inclined ramps 60 in FIG. 2 or 72 in FIG. 4 or the horizontal ramp 92 in FIG. 8, inserting the tips of the tines in the respective openings 44 of the time receiving elements of the panel. The tine T is shown in such inserted condition in the horizontally disposed panel of the dot and dash depiction of FIG. 2. As the tines T are inserted into the tine receiving elements, the tips of the tines contact the curved plate 36. Further forward movement of the tine causes the incline to smoothly follow the tine tip until the tine is fully inserted in the element and the edges 40 and 42 are proximate the faces of the tines. At this time the tine receiving elements are still substantially in their housed position providing a flush surface to the panel and have been urged toward such position either by the spring 56 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, or by gravity in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4 and 8. Where the embodiment is of the inclined ramp type, the fork lift truck operator will depress his tines slightly below the horizontal prior to insertion. Where the panel is of the horizontal ramp type which opens to the edges of the panel, such depression is not necessary, the recesses formed by the latter ramp allowing direct horizontal movement of the tines into the tine receiving element openings 44.

Once the tines have been inserted into the tine receiving elements of the panel, the fork lift truck operator elevates the tines lifting the tine receiving elements and panel in an upward direction. As the tines are elevated the upper surface of each tine contacts the edge 40 causing the tine receiving element to pivot about edge 40 and pivot pin 52 until the edge 42 contacts the bottom face of the tine. As elevation of the tines is continued an increasing proportion of the weight of the panel is supported by the tines. As soon as some of the weight of the panel is supported by the tines, the tips of the tines are gripped by the edges 40 and 42 of plate 32 and flange 38, respectively, substantially reducing the possibility of the panel falling from the tine. As more of the weight is supported by the tines, the gripping force increases. Since the pivot axis of the tine receiving elements is offset somewhat from the center of gravity of the panel, the panel will swing about the pivot axis in a direction shown by the arrows in FIG. 2 as the panel is lifted. The panel will finally assume a generally up-right attitude somewhat tilted with respect to the vertical as shown in solid lines in FIG. 2. The panel is lifted in such a manner, as shown in FIG. 10, until the full weight of the panel is supported by the tips of the tines.

The panel may now readily be positioned in a vertical attitude against the lading in the desired lading space. Referring to FIG. 11, to so position the panel, the panel is carried by the fork lift truck until the top leading edge of panel contacts the lading in the space. At this point forward progress of the top of the panel ceases. As the truck continues to move forward the panel pivots about the tine receiving element pivot axis and the bottom of the panel moves into position against the lading as shown in FIG. 12. When the panel is disposed in such a vertical position, the panel is lowered until the pins 28 extending from the corners of the panel are located in their appropriate track apertures and the guide track supports the panel weight, Since the panel weight is now no longer supported by the tines, the gripping force exerted by edges 40 and 42 is relieved and tines may be backed out of the tine receiving element openings 44. The elements again tend to assume their housed position either due to gravity or spring 56.

When it is desired to remove the vertically disposed panel from the lading space, the tips of the tines are again inserted through the openings 44 in the tine receiving elements and elevated. As the tines are elevated, the tine receiving elements cam outwardly from their housed position to the position shown by the dot and dash lines in FIG. 4, and the elements and the first panel are then lifted vertically upward and free of the guide track apertures. The panel will finally assume the tilted position shown in FIG. 2 as the panel is moved away from the lading. If it is desired to place the removed panel upon the floor or upon a stack of panels, the tines of the fork lift truck are again lowered until the bottom edge of the panel contacts the floor, as shown in FIG. 10, or uppermost panel in the stack. Since the panel is tilted slightly forward such contact will not cause the panel to fall from the tines, since the tines still support a relatively large portion of the panel weight causing a gripping force to be exerted through the edges 40 and 42. As the fork of the lift truck continues to descend, the top of the panel will tilt further forward until the panel has been fully disposed in the horizontal position. When in such position the panel weight is no longer supported by the tines and the tines of the fork lift may be withdrawn in a substantially horizontal direction from the tine receiving elements of panel since the gripping force has been relaxed. The tine receiving elements will then return to their fully housed position due to either gravity or spring force.

If it is desired to use the panel in a horizontal disposition as a pallet, the panel may be lifted in its horizontal disposition by inserting the tines into the edge beam ports 29 and intermediate beams 21 and 22.

Although the edge opening ramp construction is shown as used with the embodiment of tine receiving element and irregular edge beam shown in FIG. 8, it will be readily understood that such construction may be used with either of the tine receiving element embodiments of FIGS. 2 or 4. It will also be evident that the pivotal mounting assembly shown in FIG. 7 is capable of use with either of the embodiments of tine receiving element of FIGS. 2 or 4. Moreover, it should be understood that the embodiments of the invention which have been described are merely illustrative of a few of the applications of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made by those skilled in the art.

What is claimed is: 1. A lading panel adapted to be lifted by a tine of a fork lift from a substantially horizontal position and to be moved by the fork lift in a substantially upright attitude, said lading panel comprising, in combination:

a planar panel, at least one tine receiving element carried by said panel adjacent a face of the panel, said tine receiving element having an opening therein for insertion of at least a portion of the tine into said element, and

means pivotally mounting said element relative to the center of gravity of the panel so that when the panel is lifted by the tine through the tine receiving element, the panel will swing to said substantially upright attitude about the pivot axis of the pivotal mounting means.

2. The lading panel of claim 1 including at least one opening adjacent the edges of the panel affording movement of the fork lift time in directions substantially parallel to said face of the panel to permit entry of the time into the opening of said tine receiving element when the panel is disposed in said substantially horizontal position.

3. The lading panel of claim 1 wherein the opening of said tine receiving element is constructed and arranged to allow insertion of the tine when the panel is also in an upright attitude.

4. The lading panel of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of the periphery of said opening is offset from said pivotal mounting means so that when the inserted tine is elevated when said panel is in said upright attitude, said tine receiving element rotates to a position substantially parallel to the tine.

5. The lading panel of claim 1 including at least one opening adjacent an edge of the panel for affording movement of the tine in directions substantially parallel to said face of the panel to lift and move said panel in a substantially horizontal attitude.

6. The lading panel of claim 1 wherein said face of the panel includes an elongated recess extending from said tine receiving element toward an edge of the panel to permit horizontal movement of the tine toward and away from said opening of said tine receiving element when the panel is in said horizontal position.

7. The lading panel of claim 6 wherein said recess opens to the edge of the panel.

8. The lading panel of claim 7 wherein said elongated recess terminates adjacent the opening of said tine receiving element, the edge opening and the opening of said tine receiving element being spaced from each other.

9. The lading panel of claim 1 wherein said tine receiving element includes gripping means which grip the tine when the panel is lifted by the tine receiving element.

10. The lading panel of claim 9 wherein said tine gripping means is formed by a portion of the periphery of said opening.

11. The lading panel of claim 9 wherein said tine gripping means is spaced from said pivotal mounting means providing a gripping force which is substantially greater than the weight of the panel.

12. The lading panel of claim 9 wherein said gripping means is constructed and arranged to grip both the major faces of the tine so long as the tine supports substantially any portion of the weight of the panel.

13. The lading panel of claim 1 wherein said tine receiving element comprises a housing having a first portion which overlies a substantial portion of the tine when the the tine is inserted in the housing.

14. The lading panel of claim 13 wherein said housing includes a second portion having a curved surface located in the path of the tip of the tine when the tine is inserted in the housing.

15. The lading panel of claim 1 wherein a portion of said face of the panel is apertured and said tine receiving element is positioned in said apertured portion, said tine receiving element being constructed and arranged to normally assume a first position in which no portion of the tine receiving element extends outwardly beyond said face of the panel.

16. The lading panel of claim 15 wherein said tine receiving element is constructed and arranged in said aperture so as to allow the tine receiving element to swing from said first position to a second position at least perpendicular to said first position.

17. The lading panel of claim 15 including latching means to normally maintain said tine receiving element in said first position.

18. The lading panel of claim 15 including urging means to urge the tine receiving element toward said first position.

19. The lading panel of claim 15 including means to position the tine receiving element in a flush relationship with respect to the major area of said face.

20. The lading panel of claim 1 in which the pivotal mounting means is eccentrically disposed with respect to the center of gravity of the panel so that when the panel is lifted by the tine through the tine receiving element the panel will swing to said upright attitude at an angle to the vertical.

21. The lading panel of claim 1 wherein the pivotal mounting means comprises a pair of elongated members disposed within said tine receiving element, a pair of pivot pins each extending in opposite directions normal to said elongated members respectively and through said tine receiving element, the ends of each of said pivot pins opposite said elongated members being rotatably carried in structural members of said panel, and attaching means spaced along each of said elongated members from said pivot pins, said attaching means removably attaching said elongated members to said tine receiving element.

22. A lading panel adapted to be lifted by a tine of a fork lift from either a substantially horizontal position or a position inclined at a substantial angle from the horizontal so as to be substantially upright and to be moved by the fork lift from one to the other of said positions, said lading panel comprising, in combination:

a planar panel,

at least one tine receiving element carried by said panel adjacent a face of the panel, said tine receiving element having an opening therein for insertion of at least a portion of the tine into said element, and

means pivotally mounting said element on the panel and offset from the center of gravity of the panel, the panel being moveable relative to said element about the pivot axis of the pivotal mounting means and between said positions when the panel is supported by the tine through said element.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,119,112 5/1938 Mitchell 108-51 XR 2,432,182 12/1947 Turner 10851 XR 2,702,140 2/1955 Momyer 108-51 XR 2,832,487 4/1958 Oster et a1 10851 XR 3,159,115 12/1964 Nolan 10851 3,298,326 1/1967 Addison et al. 10851 JAMES T. McCALL, Primary Examiner G. O. FINCH, Assistant Examiner 

